Under the auspices of H.E. President Katerina Sakellaropoulou
The Bodossaki Foundation is drawing up a comprehensive Action Plan for Civil Society in Greece, as it was previously announced during its involvement with ‘Initiative ’21’. This follows other Action Plans it has prepared, focusing on areas such as the University of 2030, the improvement of Public Health, and Environment and Climate. Each of these Bodossaki Foundation Action Plans, including the current one, is drawn up under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic, H.E. Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and is made available to relevant state authorities for further consideration.
The draft Action Plan for Civil Society, which reflects the collaborative efforts of over 25 voluntary contributors from the academic community, board members, and executives from a wide range of Civil Society organisations, is now open here for public consultation. The consultation period will last until September 26, 2024. The final version of the Action Plan, incorporating feedback from the consultation, will be presented at the Benaki Museum (Pireos Street 138) on November 27, 2024.
For the Bodossaki Foundation, consolidating Civil Society in Greece is a key strategic priority. The Foundation is promoting the development of a strong and independent Civil Society, together with the establishment of the institutional framework necessary to support its effective functioning. A vibrant, healthy, and dynamic Civil Society plays a crucial role in complementing the state’s efforts by offering services in essential areas such as health and social welfare, contributing to emergency response, and generally improving the daily lives of citizens by defending human rights, and reinforcing democratic values.
To develop the Action Plan for Civil Society, the Bodossaki Foundation has engaged organisations, charitable foundations, the academic community and research institutions (think tanks). In response to the Foundation’s invitation, a Central Coordinating Committee has been established with the aim of developing visionary and practical proposals aimed at strengthening Civil Society in Greece:
- Xenophon Kappas, General Manager of the Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, Coordinator
- Fay Makantasi, Director of Research, DIANEOSIS
- Stavros Benos, President, DIAZOMA
- Spyros Blavoukos, Professor of Political Science, ELIAMEP – Athens University of Economics and Business
- Ioannis Papadatos, Pediatrician, Vice President of Together for Children
- Eva Polyzogopoulou, Country Director, ActionAid Hellas
- Dimitris A. Sotiropoulos, Professor of Political Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA)
- Valia Fragkou, Executive Director, Athina I. Martinou Foundation
- Svetoslav Danchev, Head of Microeconomic Analysis & Policy Unit, IOBE (Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research)
In addition, 21 experts, scientists, and representatives of organisations, foundations, and Civil Society bodies together constitute the Support Committee, providing essential support:
- Chrysafo Arvaniti, Program Manager for Innovation, MSc in Global Health – Disaster Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Nikos Vettas, Professor of Economics, Athens University of Economics and Business, General Director of IOBE (Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research)
- Nikos Dedēs, President, Greek Patients Association
- Lina Zirgánou-Kazoléa, PhD Candidate, Department of Political Science & Public Administration, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Alexia Katsaouni, President, Desmos
- Dimitris Kerameus, Lawyer
- Eva Lianou, General Director, John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation
- Konstantina Demiri, Director, Hellenic Ornithological Society
- Myrto Xanthopoulou, Advocacy Specialist, SOS Children’s Villages
- Daphne Oikonomou, Honorary President, Cerebral Palsy Greece/Open Door
- Savas Papadopoulos, Project Manager European Institutions & Policies, ELIAMEP
- Fotis Papathanasiou, President of the Association of the Foundations “FILOTIS“
- Nikos Petrou, President, Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature
- Anastasios Samouilidis, Legal Advisor, Greek Patients Association
- Vasilis Sfakianopoulos, Founder, Save Your Hood
- Petros Fatouros, Lawyer
- Sotiris Foteas, Lawyer
- Anastasia Chalkidou, Accounting Director & Co-founder, Quantum
- Christos Chiotis, Visual Communication Designer & Digital Applications Consultant
- Asteris Houliaras, Professor, Department of Political Science & International Relations, University of the Peloponnese
- Paul Kidner, Senior Advisor, TIMA Foundation
After 12 months of voluntary work, meetings, and research, taking account of international practices, the Central Coordinating Committee, in collaboration with the twenty-member Scientific Support Committee, produced a position paper on the development of Civil Society in Greece. Subsequently, it sought the opinions and comments of 35 members of Civil Society bodies with significant experience of matters of organisation and operation: their knowledge and expertise contributed to its enrichment and better documentation. The text, as it stands at present, is now being put up for open consultation.
The final version of the Civil Society Action Plan will be presented to the public in November 2024 at an open event aimed at the same three sectors that the Action Plan itself is addressed to: the State, Civil Society, and the wider community.
Aim & Content of the Action Plan for Civil Society in Greece
The objective of the Action Plan is to propose measures that will improve the functioning of Civil Society and enhance its contribution to society. It assesses the current state of Civil Society in Greece, draws on best practices from international experiences, identifies areas for improvement, and suggests changes in three key areas: the functioning of institutions, financial sustainability, and social interaction. The proposals are directed at both the State, recognising that a supportive institutional environment is crucial for Civil Society’s effectiveness, and at the Civil Society sector itself, with recommendations for self-regulation.
The Bodossaki Foundation hopes that these proposals will serve as a springboard for extensive dialogue and wide-ranging consensus, and inspire the political will necessary to promote and empower Civil Society in Greece.
Why an Action Plan for Civil Society in Greece is Important
The initiative to implement an Action Plan for Civil Society in Greece recognises and underscores both the multidimensional importance of the work of Civil Society and the significant opportunity for its development in Greece. This development will empower Greek Civil Society to fully realise its complex and vital role, as it does in every modern democratic society.
The Civil Society ecosystem in Greece, still in its developmental stages, requires significant changes and support, both in terms of consolidation (self-regulation and transparency) and in regulation (legislative and tax) and recognition by the State. However, although the scale of activities that Civil Society Organisations can offer depends to a great degree on the acceptance and support they receive from the public, the fact is that multiple surveys in Greece reveal particularly low levels of trust from citizens and limited participation in these organisations and their important work. Furthermore, Greece ranked 138th out of 142 countries in the 2023 CAF World Giving Index.
According to research conducted by IOBE (Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research) on behalf of the Bodossaki Foundation as part of the Active Citizens Fund programme (available here), the contribution made by Civil Society Organisations to Greek society and the economy is both multidimensional and highly significant. Activities carried out by CSOs directly or indirectly support 1.6% of Greece’s GDP and employ 1.9% of the country’s workforce. In absolute terms, CSO contributions to GDP in 2021 were estimated at €3.0 billion, supporting 88,400 jobs. Notably, these figures do not take account of the economic value of volunteerism, which amounted to €357 million in 2021, representing about 0.2% of the country’s GDP.
Furthermore, the activities of these organisations significantly boost public revenues by stimulating economic activity in the country, with annual contributions consistently exceeding €1 billion. This represents 1.9% to 2.1% of annual public revenues between 2019 and 2021. In a hypothetical scenario where the services provided by Civil Society Organisations in Greece had to be delivered by the state, the estimated cost for 2021 would range from €2.1 to €3.2 billion.
Civil Society Internationally
Globally, Civil Society organisations play an active and leading role in modern democracies. They are respected and accepted, and recognised as essential pillars of democracy and major drivers of social participation. These organisations act as catalysts, flexibly and expertly filling gaps where the state falls short, addressing systemic injustices, and ensuring access to health, education, and prosperity for those without a voice or bargaining power. They also emphasise the critical importance of protecting the environment and human rights, while actively engaging with society.
Looking to the future, the Action Plan for Civil Society in Greece incorporates best practices drawn from international experience.
* The Active Citizens Fund program, with a budget of €15 million, is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway and is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism for the period 2014–2021, known as the EEA Grants. The programme aims to empower and enhance the sustainability of civil society and highlight its role in promoting democratic processes, increasing citizen participation in public affairs, and defending human rights. The grant management of the Active Citizens Fund programme for Greece is jointly handled by the Bodossaki Foundation and SolidarityNow. Read more here: www.activecitizensfund.gr
